The conference will bring together artists, critics, art historians, curators, and biennial directors who influenced important questions and developments related to perennial art exhibitions. The conference will begin with the question Why Biennial? leading into the topic of ‘Biennial Writing, Re-assessing Art History’. The second question that will be addressed is Why Associate? opening up discussions on ‘Institutional Critique and How to be Self-Critical in Biennial Work’.

The event with the focus on the inaugural ceremony of IBA will be open to the public, consisting of keynote speeches and panel discussions.

Biennial Foundation has closely worked with the Berlin Biennale of Contemporary Art on the program development of the Conference. Biennial Foundation would like to encourage all who are actively engaged in the making of contemporary art biennials to become a member of the IBA and join us there.

How do biennials as ephemeral exhibitions take their part in art history? What kinds of histories of the biennials are visible and readable? Is a new reading of art history based on perennial exhibitions possible? Are biennials as a format of the display of art exhausted or is it possible to think about different potentials?

Panel Discussion: Institutional Critique – How to be Self-Critical in Biennial Work

How can biennials serve as instruments to open up cultural debates? Can they encourage plurality of diverse opinions and support the right to freedom of artistic expression? How do international/local as well as sources of funding influence the decisions about biennials? Is it the right time to be self-critical and incorporate institutional critique into the current debates?

How? Become a member in the network of art professionals and take part in the General Assembly by applying directly through the IBA website www.biennialassociation.org or alternatively download an application form and submit it to the IBA Office.

The International Biennial Association (IBA) is a nonprofit arts association composed of institutions, individuals and associates from the Biennial community and arts-related industry; created to expand and share activities of curatorial, artistic creation and knowledge production through cooperation and exchange among biennials and other institutions.

The conference during IBA’s General Assembly is organized by the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art. The conference and the General Assembly are hosted and generously supported by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation).